Tournament Page

Babe Ruth League, Inc. |
Southeast Region
FOR USE AT THE REGIONAL CAL RIPKEN ROOKIE BASEBALL TOURNAMENTRecommended be used at the District and State Tournaments

Tournament Rules (and recommended regular season rules):

A spring-loaded Louisville Slugger Portable Pitching Machine will be used in Regional
Tournament play.

Age: 8 & under (must have been registered with Babe Ruth League, Inc.). Players
cannot turn 9 before May 1 of the tournament year.

Player roster: 12- to 15-player roster with 10 players batting in order (11 with EH).
A. An Extra Hitter (EH) can be used as the 11th batter. If a team elects this option, it
must start with the EH and end with the EH or forfeit the game. [Both teams in a game
are not required to use this option.]
B. There will be four outfielders. ALL outfielders must remain in the grass area of the
outfield (cannot be positioned in the infield at any time).
C. The player that assumes the pitcher’s position must remain within the “mound” 8’-
diameter circle, behind the machine, and on one side or the other until the ball is hit. If
the pitcher violates one or both of these requirements, then (1) The play will stand, even
if the pitcher is involved in the play, and (2) The umpire(s) will warn the violating
pitcher’s manager that if that same pitcher violates one or both requirements again,
he/she will have to be removed from the pitcher’s position. The player can assume
another position but cannot re-enter as a pitcher in that game. He/she may not be
ejected from the game for this infraction.
[NOTE: The Pitcher position is only a reference to a "Fielder’s" Position (does not throw
a pitch). Therefore, there is NO "Number of Innings Pitched" rule for the player in the
position. A “Courtesy Runner” is not allowed for the pitcher.]
D. The catcher takes his/her normal position in full gear.Revision Approved 10/26/2013 Remains in effect until further notice

Game length: 6 innings. Each batter receives a maximum of five pitches. If the batter
strikes out, or if the ball has not been hit into play after five pitches, the batter is out.
A. If the batter fouls the 5th pitch, batter will receive pitches as long as batter continues
to foul pitches. [Note: Any fouled bunt after two strikes is an out.]
B. The half inning is over when three outs are made.
C. The batter is out if he/she swings on a third strike and misses the ball.

Field dimensions: Standard Cal Ripken Division base length of 60 ft.

Pitching machine: The pitching machine is placed at 46 ft. with a speed of 43 mph
(established when ball crosses home plate). The front two legs of the machine must be
placed in front of the pitching rubber (best if up against the front edge of the rubber or at
least the front edge of any underground base for the pitching rubber). Coaches are not
allowed to check the machine before their team bats. Only umpires may decide if
adjustments should be made.

UMPIRE:
A. The umpire will feed the machine. Machine should be checked prior to batting. Only
the umpire can make adjustments during play.
B. The umpire(s) is/are allowed to declare “no pitch” if he/she judges that it is not
reasonably hittable. This is a judgment call and thus not subject to protest.

Dead ball:
A. The ball will be declared dead when the defensive team stops the lead runner or the
runner abandons the effort to advance. Once play has been stopped, no other runners
may advance beyond the last base tagged.
B. The ball will be declared dead when a player is injured and in the umpire's judgment
is unable to continue the play.
C. If a batted fair ball hits any part of the pitching machine without touching any
defensive player first, the ball is immediately dead. The batter will be awarded first
base. All other runners return to the base that they occupied before the ball was hit
unless forced to advance as a result of the batter being awarded first base (Rule 5.09f
and 7.04a). If a batted fair ball is first touched by a defensive player and then hits any
part of the pitching machine, it is a live ball.Revision Approved 10/26/2013 Remains in effect until further notice
D. If a batted fair ball touches an umpire on fair territory before it touches an infielder
including the pitcher, or touches an umpire before it has passed an infielder other than
the pitcher, the ball is dead and the batter is awarded first base. All other runners return
to the base they occupied before the ball was hit unless forced to advance as a result of
the batter being awarded first base (Rule 5.09f and 7.04a).
E. If a thrown ball hits any part of the pitching machine, it is a live ball.

Infield fly rule: There is NO INFIELD FLY RULE.

Bunting: Bunting is allowed. However, NO FAKE BUNTING IS ALLOWED. If the
batter offers to bunt then she must bunt the ball or pull the bat back to take the pitch. If
the batter offers to bunt, pulls the bat back and then swings at the pitch, the batter will
automatically be declared out by the umpire.

Courtesy Runner: The catcher may have a courtesy runner run for them every time
they are up to bat. Each courtesy runner used must be a player who is not in the game
at the time. Each courtesy runner may only pinch run once per inning.

Base stealing: Base stealing is not permitted. Runner(s) leaving their base(s)
before the batter hits the ball or before the ball reaches home plate shall be regulated
by the Special Base Running Rule found in the current edition of Babe Ruth League
Baseball rules book according to comment #3 under the Cal Ripken Baseball – Rookie
and T-Ball League Rules and Regulations found in the same rule book. The runner(s)
will not be called out.

Baseballs: Must use approved Cal Ripken baseballs.
Optional Regular Season Rules (but required for District through Regional
Tournament Play):

Ten-run rule: The ten-run rule (4 complete innings, or 3-1/2 innings if home team is
ahead) will be in effect (tournaments only).

Umpires: Two umpires will be on the field at all times (one on the field and one at
home plate, behind the batter). One will feed the pitching machine.

Credentials: Approved birth documents, Certificates of Accidental & Liability
Insurance, Tournament Team Roster, Letter of Eligibility, Consent for Treatment forms,
a 5x7 or 8x10 color or black-and-white team photo with the players, manager, and
coaches identified, and Coaches Certificate of Completion of a certified Coaches
Certification Program are required.Revision Approved 10/26/2013 Remains in effect until further notice

Ryan Skadra receiving the MVP Award. He hit 4 homeruns and batted .533 thru the tourney. He also pitched in the semi-final game against MARA striking out 11 batters and holding them to only 2 hits and no runs allowed.

Final Game Details: 6th inning... Down 6 to 1 in the bottom of the 6th. Cory O'Shea reached on an error, Patrick Reardon hit a double, Ryan Skadra reached on an error making it 6 to 2. Sam Goethel walked and then Evan Netherland singled to right field making it 6 to 3 with bases loaded and no outs. Conner Strong then hit the next pitch over the left field fence striking the scoreboard making it a walk off Grand Slam to win the game 7 to 6.

"To the Wilson, North Carolina community, as the manager of our 12U baseball team, I want to thank everyone involved for hosting us so graciously. We were welcomed with open arms from the beginning and had a great experience. From the fields at Saratoga, to the accommodations in Wilson, and the local restaurants we visited, we had a great time. Special thanks to Henry Sermons, SE Regional Babe Ruth Director and to Mickey Davis, Wilson County Youth Athletic Association for putting on a fun tournament. We enjoyed our time down here and welcome you to the Glen Allen, Virginia community any time."